starting a new thread for anyone who has or is considering surgery thru the Brigham/Falkner program.

~Mel

surgery 11/13/07 Dr Vernon

-35lbs

I called doc/ she did not seem concerned AT ALL. It seems to be getting worse. pain when I bend over or stand up straight or touch port area. I am not going to live w/ this. This is NOT normal for me. I made an app to be seen. I'm scared I did damage. How can they tell w/out opening me up???? She said it sounded like GAS! It feels like I felt soon after surgery. tender/

Heidi DONT panic! You may have pulled a muscle or even torn something...they wont open you up to fix it. Is it red, raised or does it look infected? If not you should be okay. Your port is attached to the muscle below your skin and fat. So IF it needs to be repaired (which I doubt) they can do it with a local. Try ice and some pain reliever and see how that helps.

Blue glad to hear you are hanging in there you have endured the worst its down hill from here. Like Paige said...you will hear us complaining about how hard this is journey is (bc it is) and the foods we miss..but I havent any regrets. I am VERY glad I had surgery

Yeah um Paige did you see me eating the nacho chips right before I left? They were the only thing I ate the whole night bc I wanted to have those deadly yet tasty drinks. Well they didnt stay down. Oh and they were colored. lol. No drinking for me!

You had nacho chips? I definitely don't remember that....maybe it was one of the big blue drinks that kept me from noticing--or that tequila flavored thing? UGH. Sorry to hear it didn't stay down......I ate the fried mozzarella at the end of the night--but the breading and the cheese were apparently both very bad ideas. I think it might be a few weeks before I head out like that again---but who knows?! I was down a good 7 pounds until I started eating again.

By the way---not sure if it's the Miralax or flaxseed oil, but I'm taking both daily and feeling like a million bucks!! :thumbup:

Heidi DONT panic! You may have pulled a muscle or even torn something...they wont open you up to fix it. Is it red, raised or does it look infected? If not you should be okay. Your port is attached to the muscle below your skin and fat. So IF it needs to be repaired (which I doubt) they can do it with a local. Try ice and some pain reliever and see how that helps.

Blue glad to hear you are hanging in there you have endured the worst its down hill from here. Like Paige said...you will hear us complaining about how hard this is journey is (bc it is) and the foods we miss..but I havent any regrets. I am VERY glad I had surgery

Yeah um Paige did you see me eating the nacho chips right before I left? They were the only thing I ate the whole night bc I wanted to have those deadly yet tasty drinks. Well they didnt stay down. Oh and they were colored. lol. No drinking for me!

I am feeling better today/ Thank god but I will still go in on fri for them to check me out. I was really scared because I was having pain near the big incision area port area just like I did when I had sugery. Hurt to, touch, bend over, sit up, lay down, roll over, ect. I'm scared my port flipped or came unstitched. it just did not feel right at all.

Paige & Tiny~ sounds like you 2 had a big party at your last meet up lol! :thumbup:

Hi guys. I called doc V yesterday morn & told her the pain was worse & described it to her. She said it sounded like I pulled out a stitch. She had me go in for a CT scan. I'm waiting to here whats going on. I have alot to think about. Not sut=re what I will do if there is a problem. I may have my band removed. :-(

I signed up and got on immediately---not waiting 7 days for the mail! It doesn't have much info--tests run, appointments scheduled, etc. Nothing about weight or about fill levels. It had tests that I'd had pre and post surgical. My primary care stuff is on there, with prescription meds, too. Not too much about the band though. :blushing:

Just signed up for this too. says my results won't be ready till 3/19

Well, apparently a scan does not even show if you pulled out a stitch. :frown: I guess she did the scan to make sure everything was still working right. Did GI ect. Scan was good. BUT she thinks I may have pulled a stitch. So, she is hoping it will just heal on its own. :frown: If it keeps bothering me she will go in & move my port down.

Plus when I start exercising again I will wear a binder around my belly for more support. Just ordered one for $15.00 This is where I am at for now. :frown:

pulled it where? on your port? If so you wont need a new band. They replace and move ports without touching the band.

I had to have my restitched 2 months after I got my band and Dr V numbed me and did in in a day surgery. I went to work after. Then again I didnt have the pain symptoms you had.

So your band is okay right Heidi? . Are you having other symptoms or pain? Removal of your band is more complicated than fixing a port that is under your skin.

Glad to hear the flax oil and Miralax is working for you Paige. I am really liking the flax (getting used to the favor still) since Ive been taking 2-4 Colace for many years and I might not have to if I cont to use it. Plus its got omega 3 fatty acids; heart healthy. :frown:

Was VERY sick most of this week and lost a few pounds bc of it. Im sure it will come back but for now its nice to fit into my clothes again.

Hope ya all are well.

Edited March 12, 201016 yr by tinywishes123
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Tiny~ No, there is nothing wrong w/ my band. Just the port. So, why did you have to get restitched? How did they know you needed it? What were your symtoms?

My pain is a lot better just a little sore now. Hope it continues to get better & doesn't act up again w/ exercise. Good news~I was down 5 lbs from last visit in Jan. :-)

well, I'm having a pitty party for myself. The stomach flu is going around my house. So, far 2 out of 5 of us have had it. Seems to be only a 24 hr thing. My port pain seems worse again & my back is bugging me now! LIKE I said POOR ME lol! Soooooo, I'm eating junk to make me feel better/ Peanut M&M's, Peanut butter n fluff crackers, chocolates yesterday, & if I could get my hands on some CHIPs I sooooooo WOULD! AAARRRRRHGGG!!!

Hey Everyone!

I hope you all are doing good and kicking arse!

I am 13 days Post-Op and feeling great. The first few days were a bit rough, but after that I felt fine. Little to no pain and or gas. Lucky me! Although, in the post-op diet, I have been feeling weak from time to time. I am following the instructions to the letter with all the protein and water requirements. Sometimes, I just feel a bit weak. Hopefully it will subside as I move into the "mushy" phase.

I had a follow up with Dr. Robinson at the Faulkner yesterday. I have lost 15 lbs since seeing him pre-op on 3/1. So, needless to say, I am pumped. Although, all I wanted to do when I went in there was to have him cut me loose from the liquid diet and progress me to the mushies 2 days early. But I was so excited about the weight loss, I forgot to ask!:wub:

Heidi - dont get yourself down. Positive attitiudes and emotions can go a looong way. Just think long term and your goals will be realized. Don't sweat the small stuff! You CAN do it!

Take Care!

yeah thanks. I'll try.

Ummmm.....you're welcome :wub:

Great to hear blue! Oh I remember that weak feeling, sure you are getting all your protein in? I remember feeling very dizzy and I was getting in all my shakes but what made me feel better was when I adding in some salty broth.

Heidi sometimes you need a pity party but you need to turn around and pull yourself up when you are done crying.

When my port flipped I had no symptoms or pain, I guess it happened right after surgery bc we didnt know until I went in for my first fill post-op. Like I said above, Dr V repaired it and I went back to my office the same day all numbed up.

Well Im in physical therapy for a sprained knee so no running for me plus Im getting over the flu. Its been a heck of a few weeks!!!! Still mulling over a fill bc the scale hasnt moved but my level is allowing me to eat with out intolerances. Heck I ate a piece of whole grain toast this morning for b-fast.

TTYL :wub:

Edited March 16, 201016 yr by tinywishes123
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well, I had my second upper gi today and then met Dr. Robinson. Good news first - my esophagus is looking better.

bad news - Dr Robinson wont give me a fill until it looks practically perfect!!!

I am always hungry and have barely any restriction. I made a strong commitment to myself to stay focused and stop gaining weight.

Another good thing - I finally made an appointment to see the nut.

I am working on keeping my head up high - in the last two months I had too many "pity parties" and the results are not what I want.

:scared2: